The correlates of smoking, and low fruit and vegetable intake among Quebec adolescent females

Smoking and low fruit and vegetable intake (LFVI) are correlated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, two leading causes of death in Canada and the U.S. The prevalence of smoking in Canadian and U.S. female adolescents has risen in the past ten years. Recent surveillance data also show that Canadian and U.S. female adolescents consume levels of fruit and vegetables far below national recommendations. The correlates of current smoking and LFVI among adolescent girls were investigated in a secondary data analysis of a multi-stage, stratified, cluster sample school survey of 13 and 16 year-old girls in Québec, called the Québec Children and Adolescent Health and Social Survey (QCAHS). Data were collected from 80.2% of eligible 13 year-old females and 81.4% of eligible 16 year-old females. Multivariate logistic analysis was used. Our results could be used to identify adolescent females at increased risk for smoking and LFVI. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...